Hunter Motivations and Use of Wild Pigs in Texas, USA

Authors

Rachael L. Connally, Texas A&M UniversityFollow
Maureen G. Frank, Texas A&M UniversityFollow
Gary E. Briers, Texas A&M UniversityFollow
Nova J. Silvy, Texas A&M UniversityFollow
Keith M. Carlisle, Colorado State UniversityFollow
John M. Tomeček, Texas A&M UniversityFollow

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Abstract

Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are a widespread exotic, invasive species that pose ecological, agricultural, and human health risks in their invaded range. Wildlife managers must manage wild pig abundance and range expansion to mitigate these risks. The diversity of stakeholders involved in the issue of wild pig management complicates efforts to manage the species, and, to be successful, wildlife professionals must consider the human dimensions associated with wild pig management. The prevalence of privately owned lands in Texas, USA necessitates cooperation to enact effective management policies. In this study, we investigate the impact of hunter motivations on wild pig harvest quantity. Motivations driving wild pig hunting are diverse. While the majority of wild pig hunters in Texas are motivated by trophy value, meat-motivated hunters harvest more wild pigs per day afield. Wildlife managers should develop plans that include various management techniques to control wild pig population growth and damage. Education and outreach will continue to be important for involving private landowners in effective wild pig management.

Recommended Citation

Connally, Rachael L.; Frank, Maureen G.; Briers, Gary E.; Silvy, Nova J.; Carlisle, Keith M.; and Tomeček, John M. (2021) "Hunter Motivations and Use of Wild Pigs in Texas, USA," Human–Wildlife Interactions: Vol. 15: Iss. 1, Article 10.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26077/a31f-af48
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/hwi/vol15/iss1/10